The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) announced today that co-founder and current Executive Director, Ezra Auerbach, is stepping down effective January 31, 2013. The organization has named Richard Lawrence, currently the Director of Operations, to the post of Executive Director.

Don Warfield, Chairperson of NABCEP says, “NABCEP will miss Mr. Auerbach and thanks him for his efforts over the years. We are confident that the staff he has assembled during his tenure as ED will be more than capable of continuing to execute NABCEP’s mission to develop and deliver quality credentialing programs for the renewable energy industry.”

Mr. Auerbach says, “It has been a huge privilege to have been able to help NABCEP become the industry ‘Gold Standard’ for installation and sales professional certifications. I thank all my colleagues for this opportunity. While it saddens me to leave NABCEP, I am thrilled to be opening a new chapter in my life, which will afford me the opportunity to spend considerably more time at home and in our garden. I intend to remain involved the PV industry and look forward to seeing the many friends that I have made during my years at NABCEP at industry events.”

Richard Lawrence, says, “I am honored to have been provided the helm of such a prestigious organization. I look forward to working with NABCEP’s staff, our esteemed Board of Directors, and the dozens of industry experts that we rely on to create and maintain the high standards for which we have become known. ”  

Mr. Warfield says, “For so many of us, Ezra’s name and face have come to mean NABCEP over the last decade and we are grateful for all he’s done for the organization. I’ve reluctantly come to accept his decision to leave NABCEP as he moves toward his retirement. I think that one of his most enduring contributions to our organization is the staff team that he has built over the past few years. Please join me in welcoming Richard Lawrence as Executive Director of NABCEP. Ezra is leaving us in good hands."

Mr. Warfield says, "For so many of us, Ezra's name and face have come to mean NABCEP over the last decade and we are grateful for all he's done for the organization. Please join me in welcoming Richard Lawrence as Executive Director of NABCEP. Ezra is leaving us in good hands."